For Immediate Release
1/11/2016
Tour of Britain Fitness Challenge Winners Announced!
In August and September 2016 Everybody Sport and Recreation challenged customers to help complete the whole of the Tour of Britain route, over 800 miles by walking, running, swimming cycling and rowing! Everyone who took part were in with a chance of winning a Mountain Bike from Evans Cycles in Macclesfield, kindly donated by Matrix Fitness.
Barry and Jackie ready to cycle from Wilmslow Leisure Centre
As official sponsors of the Tour of Britain Cheshire Stage 3, Everybody Leisure wanted to promote the race across all 15 leisure centres in Cheshire East and try and get as many people active and thinking about leading a healthy lifestyle as possible. Customers cycled, swam, ran, walked and rowed each day either at their local leisure centre or out in their communities to clock up their total miles with some people completing the full 800 mile challenge themselves!
Spot prizes were given to competition winners Ruth Bacci from Sandbach Leisure Centre, Andrea Moores from Alsager Leisure Centre and Chris Stretch from Barony Park. Nantwich who all won VIP tickets to the Cheshire Tour of Britain courtesy of Cheshire East Council. All three Everybody Members and their families enjoyed VIP treatment in the hospitality areas of the Tour in both Congleton and Tatton Park.
Jackie Milner, 49 and Barry Brocklehurst 77, both members at Wilmslow Leisure Centre won the final Tour of Britain Fitness Challenge Prize Draw for the two mountain bike giveaways! Jackie completed an incredible 806.63 miles, the whole of the Tour of Britain route and Barry completed a fantastic 223.5 miles. They were both presented with Mountain and Road bikes from Evans Cycles in Macclesfield which have been donated by Matrix Fitness.
Jackie commented, ‘Since joining Wilmslow Leisure Centre last October I have been able to lose 3 and 1/2 stone in weight and have seen my body trandsform and fitness levels improve so much. I just could not resist getting involved in the Tour of Britain fitness challenge.”
Jackie says that her main inspiration was fitness instructor Penny Kirk who motivated her throughout the whole two months of the challenge. She has now set herself an even bigger challenge for next year, her first Triathlon,
Jackie commented, “I have had so much encouragement from other members and Penny to keep going, constantly monitoring how many miles I was completing. I managed to lose 1 and 1/2 stone during the challenge, so many friends in the gym commented on my weight loss and how well I was doing which spurred me on everyday. I am so happy with the prize of a mountain bike, my next goal is to take on a Triathlon and this will help me with my training. I am also taking swimming lessons with Natalie at Wilmslow Leisure Centre to improve my swimming, it is not my strong point but I am determined to reach my goal.”
Alex Marsden a fellow member of the leisure centre and friend of Jackie is very proud of her achievement and has been cheering her on all the way.
Tour of Britain Challenge Winners and their support team (L-R) Road bike winner Barry Brocklehurst, Everybody member Cynthia, Fitness Instructor Penny Kirk, Winner Jackie Milner and Everybody member Alex Marsden
Alex commented, “Jackie has been an inspiration to all of us at the gym, even on days were she didnt feel 100% she was still competing in the challenge pushing herself to the limit. We have seen such a change in her appearance and she has motivated lot’s of us in the fitness classes and in the gym to do more. We are all looking forward to the next fitness challenge to get involved and hopefully win a prize!”
A longstanding member at the Leisure Centre, Barry is looking forward to filling his free time with cycling around Wilmslow and the Cheshire East countryside.
Barry commented, “I come to Leisure Centre at least three times a week and have done for the last 25 years. I believe that by keeping up a consistent routine at the gym has kept me fit and well. The challenge was something different to do and meant I was adding more cycling in the gym to my routine. I cannot wait to get out on my brand new road bike around Cheshire East, there are some great routes to cycle and it will now be my hobby to enjoy.”
The next fitness challenge taking place during November and December is the North Pole Challenge – can you help the Everybody teams to travel over 2000 miles to reach the North Pole in time for Christmas? Run, Swim, Walk, Cycle or Row your way north at your local Everybody Leisure Centre or out in the community. Log your miles on our tracking sheets or share your efforts over social media. Tweet and Instagram @ebleisure or tag EverybodySportRecrecreation on Facebook using the hashtag #EBChallenge
In 2015, over 5000 miles were completed in the North Pole Challenge by 277 participants at Everybody Leisure Facilities in Cheshire East. For more information visit the Everybody Fitness Challenge website pages or ask a member staff at your local centre.
For more information about taking out an Everybody Membership at your local leisure centre email: [email protected] or visit www.everybody.org.uk